On Sunday, US President-elect Donald Trump’s recent threats to retake control of the Panama Canal over complaints of “unfair” treatment of American ships were rejected by Panama’s president, Jose Raul Mulino.
In a video uploaded to X, Mulino declared, “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama.”
The president-elect voiced his displeasure with the canal on his Truth Social platform the day before Mulino made his public remarks, though he never specifically mentioned Trump.
“Our Navy and Commerce have received extremely unjust and careless treatment. “The fees that Panama is charging are absurd,” he declared.
As US companies rely on the canal to transport goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Trump also bemoaned China’s increasing influence in the area, which is concerning for American interests.
“It was solely for Panama to manage, not China or anyone else,” Trump stated. “We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!”
A 1977 agreement signed by Democratic President Jimmy Carter gave the Central American nation back the Panama Canal, which the United States had finished building in 1914.
In 1999, Panama gained complete authority.
Trump declared that “we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full and without question” if Panama was unable to guarantee “the secure, efficient, and reliable operation” of the channel.
In his video message, Mulino denied Trump’s allegations while expressing his desire for “a good and respectful relationship” with the next administration.
“The canal has no direct or indirect control from China, the European Union, the United States, or any other power,” Mulino stated. “As a Panamanian, I reject any manifestation that misrepresents this reality.”
In response to Mulino’s termination, Trump wrote on Truth Social later on Sunday, “We’ll see about that!”
